In 2010 the Broward County Parks and Recreation Division launched its revamped volunteer initiative: the VIP Program, short for “Volunteers Improving Parks.” For many years the Division has depended heavily on its volunteers to augment and enhance park staff. And in these lean times, it just makes sense to use volunteers to extend our limited workforce through a more centralized and coordinated effort.

In a park system as large and diverse as Broward County’s, volunteer opportunities are virtually limitless, regardless of the volunteer’s background, experience, interests, and availability. We need volunteers for maintenance assistance and general cleanup – picking up litter, painting, weeding, minor planting, etc. We need volunteers who can contribute to security by keeping an eye out for potential vandalism and maintenance issues. We need volunteers who can answer phones and assist at park offices. In short, we need people with ideas, initiative, motivation, and an eagerness to chip in and help with whatever needs doing.

The VIP Program provides excellent opportunities not just for individuals but also for neighborhood organizations as well as businesses to become directly involved in maintaining and improving our parks, landscaped areas, greenways, and recreational facilities to help build community spirit and a sense of civic pride and responsibility. Park staff are always available to offer training, supervision, and any other resources necessary for both individuals and groups willing to contribute. Our Mission

To increase community involvement with Broward County Parks by providing a variety of volunteer opportunities for individuals, corporations, and organizations in order to assist in the beautification, maintenance, and programming of the County’s park system.

Here’s How It Works

The first step is to find a project that’s in line with your talents and interests and the amount of time you’re willing to commit.

The application can be filled out on your computer and then printed. The Broward County policies may be reviewed online or printed for your convenience. Bring completed application and photo identification to the park where you would like to volunteer. Volunteers must be at least 13 years of age, and volunteers under the age of 18 will need their parent/guardian's signature on these forms. For more information, contact the park of your choice or the Parks Volunteer Coordinator at 954-357-8153 or by email.

The Benefits of Volunteerism

Judging from the feedback we get from our volunteers, they get a great deal of satisfaction from a job well done. Here are a few examples of the things you can accomplish with only a few hours a week of volunteer service:

Acquire skills and gain experience that can be applied in a variety of jobs and careers.

Assist in organizing and staffing special events that help the community.

Increase public awareness of the importance of South Florida’s remaining natural areas.

Improve the environment by clearing natural areas of trash and invasive plants.

Instill sportsmanship, leadership, and team building in young people.

Meet the education system’s requirement for community service hours.

The Track Record for Volunteers at Broward County Parks

As one of Broward County’s largest agencies, the Parks and Recreation Division is especially dependent on the contributions of its volunteers. While more than 700 Parks employees may report to work on an average day, that workforce may be supplemented by as many as 200 volunteers, especially on weekends.

Summer Program VIPs (Volunteers Improving Parks) are an essential part of our Summer Recreation Program.The theme of this summer’s program was “Fun N Fit”. These tireless young men and women arrived every day to a different set of challenges and shared their time and talents to benefit staff and the children. Our VIPs assisted with arts and crafts, games, sports, field trips, clerical duties, and special events. They also assisted with the End-of-Summer Celebration (a fun day with races, water activities, and entertainment) and the Broward Star Time Program, both of which are highlights for many of the youth registered in our summer program.

This yearly program is not only beneficial to the Parks and Recreation Division; it's also an enriching one for our volunteers. The volunteers gained valuable knowledge of how to conduct themselves in a work environment. They also learned practical skills they can use daily at home and school, as well as for future employment and when applying for college.

Forty-three volunteers contributed 4,756 hours of service to the 2014 Summer Recreation Program and received certificates of appreciation for their invaluable assistance and support. We look forward to seeing Parks VIPs again next summer and working together to make next year’s Summer Recreation Program an even greater success!

Individuals with disabilities requiring accommodations in order to participate in programs, services, and activities must contact the Special Populations Section at 954-357-8170 or TTY 954-537-2844 at least five (5) business days prior to the scheduled meeting or event to request an accommodation.